Deron Williams: Mark Cuban missing free agent meeting helped me choose Nets

Deron Williams said on Monday that Mark Cuban missing their free agent meeting helped him choose the Nets over the Mavericks. Williams was the top point guard on the market and considered the top free agent available. He was said to be considering signing with the Mavericks or remaining with the Nets. He ultimately chose to stay with the Nets, and he says now that Cuban missing their meeting and sending Mavericks representatives instead affected his choice. Cuban was filming a TV show at the time and couldn’t make the meeting. “Obviously, I had a conflict, but I was texting him. I was texting him. We were going back and forth quite a bit,” he said at the time. Could Cuban have made a difference had he attended the meeting? “Maybe,” he responded. “You know, because I always think I can close the sale.” Cuban has indicated since then that he’s happy with the team despite failing to sign Williams and trade for Dwight Howard, so maybe things worked out well for all parties.